Stories from Thursday, March 22, 2007

Not many people can say they sailed up and down a river in a cottonwood tree, but Neal Corey can. He and his wife, MaryLee have become proud owners of the 95-year-old cottonwood dug-out boat Neal sometimes captained during their three-year trek across the United States, while on the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial reenactment...

LINCOLN -- Property taxes or irrigator fees will fund surface water buyouts, under Sen. Mark Christensen's proposed water bill, LB 701. Individual resources districts will decide which mechanism to use, he said at the Legislative conference call this morning at the McCook Chamber of Commerce...

Although recruiting is an ongoing undertaking at Community Hospital, efforts have attracted a new physician's assistant and a new pharmacist. Jim Ulrich, president and CEO of the McCook hospital, told members of the hospital's board of directors at their meeting Wednesday morning that Katie (Watt) Lawson PAC, from Benkelman, began seeing patients in February and that Chase Crawford, from Arapahoe, joined the hospital's pharmacy team on March 1...

A couple of reports issued over the last two days show just how much economic development is needed, and how it's already paying off. One is a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, which estimates that all of Southwest Nebraska has lost population to the benefit of counties along the Interstate 80 corridor as well as metropolitan areas in the east...

This is the third time I've felt compelled to send a letter to the newspaper about an article Mike has written [Mike at Night, "The legacy we leave" (http://www. mccookgazette. com/story/1194110.html)] I giggle through a lot of his writings because I've known the man for so long--including his warts and all ... and, I wish he would write more personal history stories. They are always revealing. Mike was a good dad...

A spin, not a myth It seems there is a big myth about this whole time change. In the first place, I base my findings on science facts, from people with doctorates and degrees, not myths. You yourself know if we set the clocks back one hour, it would be dark one hour earlier. Not Rocket Science. This is an observation we can make ourselves, you don't have to be a former anything...

Hats off to Lory Cappel and Todd Thieszen for their articles in Monday's Gazette about the importance of agriculture. I am an OLD?farm person and I fully agree with everything their writings contained. I have said many times -- "Where would the people of the world be if it wasn't for the farmers."...

To the Critic of "Anything Goes." My dictionary tells me that the definition of CRITICAL is: 1. inclined to find fault or to judge with severity, often too readily. or 2.occupied with or skilled in criticism. I should spend my life looking for the good in people and things rather than constantly complaining about how bad things are. Remember "accentuate the positive." Thank you...

Your voice is heard. You may think that is just something we politicians say to you to make you feel good. At the end of these articles, I've asked for your input. Do I really want it? Yes. Do I pay any attention to it? Yes. Many of you have e-mailed, snail-mailed, and called in on a variety of bills, not just those I introduced. Some of you participate in the conference calls. Some of you have even made the trek to Lincoln to participate in hearings. I think all of this is great!...

Over the years, I've learned a very important lesson -- the ability to motivate depends a lot on whom you are trying to get to act and what you're trying to get them to do. I'm easily motivated the minute Brad mentions anything about naptime. He and Jeremy however are motivated the minute the word fishing or hunting is uttered...

Jan. 28, 1952 - March 21, 2007 Robert W. Lampman, 55, died Wednesday (March 21, 2007) at his home. He was born Jan. 28, 1952, to Robert E. and Rosalie A. (Ady) Lampman in Trenton. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1970. On May 7, 1977, he married Susan M. Hoyt in San Jose, Calif. To this union one daughter was born...

June 29, 1910 - March 18, 2007 Margaret E. (Decker) Roedel, 96, died Sunday (March 18, 2007) at Sterling, Colo.  She was born June 29, 1910, in Giltner, to Isaac Newton and Nellie (Whitacre) Skinner.  She grew up in Hamilton County, and graduated from Phillips High School in 1928. She was a graduate of Kearney State Teachers College...

Sept. 13, 1916 - March 21, 2007 Velma Caroline Lauer died Wednesday (March 21, 2007) at the Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, at the age of 90. She was born Sept. 13, 1916, at McCook, the daughter of the late Henry C. and Lena S. (Haase) Kisker. Velma grew up in the Ash Creek Community and graduated from Red Willow High School in 1934...

May 8, 1961 - March 21, 2007 FREMONT -- Terry A. Golder, 45, died Wednesday (March 21, 2007) at the Ambassador in Omaha. He was born May 8, 1961, to Jack and Donna (Dorfmeyer) Golder in Fremont. He moved to Hooper at the age of 8. He graduated from Logan View High School in 1979...